Zafarraya road woodlands, Granada Province.

A morning with Jayne, Santi and Howard in amongst the wild Orchids.

Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).

We drove to a nice bit of Oak woodland where we started to search for species and we started with a couple of butterflies, a Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) and a couple of Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) neither of which sat for the camera. 

Gagea Species,

As we walked through the area we also saw Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), a soaring Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and then several spikes of Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) along with a few varied Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina). 

Field marigold (Calendula arvensis),

In the more open areas I found lots of the yellow flowering Gagea Species, blue Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), the first Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) I had see this year, which Jayne spotted, Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). 

Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana).

We moved a short way down the road and spent a while walking in an area of abandoned area of Almonds where we saw the same species of Orchids along with Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Small White (Pieris rapae) and just as we were walking back to the car Jayne made a second good find when she pointed out a stunning Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) which sat nicely on a rock for a few shot.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

We later had a very nice menu del dia in Loja before heading back home.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).